Changed Motherboards

[Wailyn]

Hi

 

I recently swapped my Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 5 motherboard with an Asus Z97-PRO (Wi-fi ac), and now the audio quality seems to be worse. I updated all the drivers and stuff. I think this is because of the sound blaster software that came with the previous motherboard drivers, which I can't use with this motherboard. So I think I need a sound card with a budget of ~100$.

 

I ordered Creative's Sound Blaster Z from amazon, but canceled the order, cause I thought I should reconsider. 

I am using Logitech z623 2.1 speakers. What sound cards do you think I should get? Mainly for music and movies...and gaming. I don't use headsets. Or is there another solution. I can't really explain, but I basically liked the sound with the Gigabyte Mobo.

 

Thanks

[Swndlr]

I have the same motherboard, I have no sound issues tho. Are you saying audio in general sounds like poop or it just doesnt sound as good as it used to?

[Wailyn]

No no...not poop, just not as good. Frankly I don't like it now that I have listened to better.

[johnt]

Hi

 

I recently swapped my Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 5 motherboard with an Asus Z97-PRO (Wi-fi ac), and now the audio quality seems to be worse. I updated all the drivers and stuff. I think this is because of the sound blaster software that came with the previous motherboard drivers, which I can't use with this motherboard. So I think I need a sound card with a budget of ~100$.

 

I ordered Creative's Sound Blaster Z from amazon, but canceled the order, cause I thought I should reconsider. 

I am using Logitech z623 2.1 speakers. What sound cards do you think I should get? Mainly for music and movies...and gaming. I don't use headsets. Or is there another solution. I can't really explain, but I basically liked the sound with the Gigabyte Mobo.

 

Thanks

 

Internal sound cards can become problematic. While a Sound Blaster usually has significantly higher quality sound to it, the drivers and long term support are not worth the headache. They are much more susceptible to the hisses, cracks, and pops from interference.

 

Since your budget is around $100, I say skip the sound card stuff and just go directly to HDMI through your video card with a new or used receiver.

[FrisoVDVeen]

i would say get a dac instead of a sound card

[Wailyn]

Sorry for being dumb...but what's a receiver? Google can't help with a generic term

[Wailyn]

i would say get a dac instead of a sound card

 

Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/D3-Digital-Converter-Optical-Toslink/dp/B005K2TXMO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435518997&sr=8-1&keywords=DAC&pebp=1435519001575&perid=0S8ANX3KD4EMVVYPZY7V ?

 

I am not really good a this. Can you recommend a specific product?

[Fluffinator]

Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/D3-Digital-Converter-Optical-Toslink/dp/B005K2TXMO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435518997&sr=8-1&keywords=DAC&pebp=1435519001575&perid=0S8ANX3KD4EMVVYPZY7V ?

for a computer,

I am not really good a this. Can you recommend a specific product?

I don't think you should get a receiver. Better off with a external dac/amp like a fio e10k if you're only gonna have one output, or get the sound blaster z if you wanna have multiple outputs, I bought the sound blaster z specifically for more outputs.

[Wailyn]

I don't think you should get a receiver. Better off with a external dac/amp like a fio e10k if you're only gonna have one output, or get the sound blaster z if you wanna have multiple outputs, I bought the sound blaster z specifically for more outputs.

 

Well this kinda changes the topic. Can I switch between outputs? I have a TV connected to my PC, and connected to that TV is a Logitech z523, but I would rather connect the z523 to the PC. Is it possible to connect both z623 and z523 to the sound blaster Z and switch between them when switching between the monitor and the TV? This is not very ideal though, cause I would then need another good speakers for the PS4 (any ideas how to manage this?)

 

This one: http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435520206&sr=8-1&keywords=Fiio+E10k&pebp=1435520209509&perid=1B8DR5QCJBPAQWD6YHQV ?

 

How does this work exactly? I connect the 3.5 aux from the speakers to it and from it to the PC the optical thingy?

 

Thanks